Articulating mechanism for doll limbs



April 16`, 1957 J. wElH 2,788,611

ARTICULATING MECHANISM FOR DOLL LIMBS Filed June 17, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I. FIG. 2.

VIII

l INVENTOR ATToRNEYs.

JuLlU wlan-i.l BY J'Igmm/ April 16, 1957 J. wElH 2,788,611

ARTICULATING MECHANISM FOR DOLL LIMBS Filed June 17, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JULI S WElIH. BY -QU/m/ ATTORNEYS.

United ARTICULATING MECHANHSM FOR DOLL LIMBS Application June 17, 1954, Serial No. 437,354 7 Claims. (Cl. 46--173) This invention relates generally to articulating mechanisms, and is particularly directed to such mechanisms as are adapted for use with simulated, jointed limbs and the like.

The particular embodiment of the present invention, which is illustrated in the drawings and which will be described hereinafter in greater detail, comprises generally a bracket adapted to be fixed in one segment of a limb and extend into the adjacent segment thereof, an operating member xed in the adjacent limb segment and rotatably connected to the bracket, and spring means connected between the bracket and operating member for urging rotation of the latter toward its extreme positions of movement.

lt is one object of the present invention to provide an articulating mechanism of the type described which is particularly well adapted for use in conjunction with toy dolls, animals and the like, for accurately simulating the natural limb movements thereof. The invention further provides an articulating mechanism which requires a minimum of relatively light weight and simply constructed parts, adapted for advantageous use in conjunction with childrens toys, and capable of reliable operation over extended periods of time, even under abusive Conditions of use.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an articulating mechanism having the characteristics indicated above, which eiect the complete elimination of screws and other fasteners, so as to substantially reduce the time required for and the cost of assembly, and obviate the danger of fastening devices coming loose during childrens play.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specilication and referring to the accompanying drawings which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevation view showing an articulated doll leg, partly broken away for clarity of understanding, whichis-constructed in accordance with the present invention, and disposed in substantially straight or aligned position;

Fig. 2 is a partial side elevational view, similar to Fig. l, showing the doll leg in a bent or angular position;

Fig. 3 is a partial side elevational view showing the external appearance of the doll leg of Figs. l and 2;

Fig. 4 is an exploded, perspective view showing the component parts of the articulating mechanism of the present invention;

Fig 5 is a front elevational view showing the articulating mechanism in assembled condition; and

rates Patent` 2,788,6ll j Patented Apr. 16, 19,57

` The upper limb portion or member is generally hollow l and has internal, generally cylindrical bosses 13 and 14 formed on and extending rearwardly from. the front wall portion 15 of the upper limb member. An upper abutment member 16 is also formed internally of the limb member 11 on the forward wall portion thereof. Concentrically of and spacedly within each of cylindrical bosses 13 and 14 is formed a rearwardly extending centering pin, as at 17 and 13. The rearward wall portion 20 of the upper leg member 11 is formed with through openings 21 and 22 in alignment, respectively, with the cylindrical bosses 13 and 14. Hollow plugs or rods 23 and 24 are inserted inwardly through the rear wall openings 21 and 22, into the cylindrical bosses 13 and 14. The plugs paron its upper end with a hollow, bulb shaped portion, generally designated 23. The bulb 28 is rotatably received within the socket 26 to connect the upper and lower limb members 10 and 11 for relative swinging movement, about a transverse axis, between the substantially aligned position of Fig. l and the angular position of Fig. 2. The bulb ZS has its upper portion open or cut away, as at 29, affording communication between the interiors of the bulb and upper limb member; and, an internal lug 30 is formed on the forward wall portion 31 of the bulb 28, for reasons appearing presently. It will now be understood that the bulb 23 may readily be inserted into the socket 26 for rotation therein, rotation being limited in the clockwise direction by engagement of the lower end portion 32 of the upper limb member rear wall 201 and the lower limb member rear wall 33, as best seen in Fig. 2. Counter-clockwise rotation of the bulb 2S in the socket 26 is limited by engagement of the lower edge 34 of the socket front wall with the forward wail portion 35 of the lower limb member 12.

In order to prevent withdrawal of the bulb 28 from the socket 26, thereby preventing separation of the upper 'and lower leg portions or members, and also to constrain movement of the upper and lower leg members to relative swinging about a transverse axis, the articulating mechanism, generally designated 37, is mounted within and Secured to the limb members. More particularly, a bracket, generally designated 3S, is provided with an upper channel like portion 39 having through openings 40 and 41 formed in its web 452. Extending from one end of the channel like bracket portion 39 are a pair lof parallel spaced, slightly rearwardly curved legs 43 and 44. Stated otherwise, the bracket 38, as best seen in Fig. 4, has its lower end bifurcated to denne the spaced, depending legs 43 and 44. It will be observed that the distal end portions of the legs 43 and 44 are formed, respectively, with aligned apertures 45 and 46, the latter being larger than the former; and, an additional aperture 47 is formed in the leg 43, all `for purposes appearing presently.

A rod or shaft 49 is provided with an enlarged shoulder or sleeve 50 for insertion through the |apertures 45 and 46 with the sleeve Sti disposed in the latter aperture. The operating member or plate 51, which is lgenerally segmental in configuration, has a through aperture S2 formed adjacent its apex, for the reception of the rod or shaft 49. The operating member is also provided with a through aperture 53, anda slot 54 dened between the. struck up lugs 55 remote from the aperture 52. Thus, the segmental operating member 51 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 49 between the legs 43 and 44, as best seen in Fig. 5.

A helical coil spring 56 has its opposite ends provided with lateral extensions S7 and 58, the yfree ends of which are bent outwards parallel to the spring Iaxis, as at S9 and 60. In its assembled condition, the spring 56 is disposed between the plate 51 and bracket leg 43 with the out-turned ends 59 and 60 of the end extensions 57 and 58 extending rotatably through the plate aperture 53 and bracket leg aperture 47, respectively. n this condition, the spring 56 will be under both angular bending and axial compressive stress so as to resiliently maintain the plate 51 against the shoulder 50, and to effect the desired limb action, as will appear more -fully hereinafter.

The operation of the articulating assembly thus far described is best illustrated in Fig. 6. In the full line position of the operating member 51, it will be apparent that the pivotal connecting portion 59 of the spring end extension 57, due to the expanding tendency of the spring, exerts an outward force on the operating member tending to rotate the latter in `the clockwise direction. When the operating member is rotated to the dot and `dash outline position of Fig. 6, it will be observed that the pivotal connection at 59 exerts an outward force tending to swing the operating member in a counterclockwise direction. At some intermediate position of the operating member, the pivotal connection S9 will exert an outward force on the operating member in radial alignment with the -shaft 49, without tendency to turn the `operating member in either direction. This intermediate or dead center position may be predetermined by selective disposition of the apertures 47 and 53 which serve to pivotally mount the spring and extensions 57 and 58 by reception of the end portions S9 and 60.

The articulating assembly of Fig. 6 is arranged with the upper end or channel portion 39 of the bracket 38 iixedly positioned in the upper limb member 11. More particularly, the channel portion 39 is arranged engaging the underside of the abutment i6 and having its web apertures 40 and 41 in registry with the cylindrical bosses 13 and ld for reception of the plugs 23 and 24. The plugs abut the inner web face and maintain `the channel lixedly positioned against the cylindrical bosses. The bracket legs 43 and 44 extend spacedly through the cut out portion or opening 29 and into the bulb 28. As best seen in Fig. 5, the opposite ends of the shaft 49 are `adapted to engage with the side walls of the bulb 28 to limit longitudinal shifting of the shaft. The internal lug 30 of the bulb 28 is disposed in the slot 54 of the operating member 51, vand the lugs 55 are lclamped against the lug 3G to fxedly secure the operating member to the bulb.

It will now be apparent that the upper and lower limb members 11 4and 12 are pivotally connected together by the articulating mechanism `and relatively swingable about the axis of the transverse shaft 49. As the 'aligned or straight leg position of Fig. l corresponds to the full line position `of Fig. 6, and as the angular or bent limb position of Fig. 2 corresponds to the dot-and'- dash line .position `of Fig. 6, it will now be understood that the spring 56 serves to resiliently urge the limb members toward ,their adjacent extreme position of swinging movement. More specifically, the spring member 56 urges the plate 51, and consequently the lower leg 4 member 11 away from the dead center position thereof, as determined by the arrangement of the pivotal connections 59 and 6G with respect to the operating member 51 and bracket leg 43.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides an `articulating mechanism for a simulated limb which fully accomplishes its intended objects, and which is well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modificationsy may be made within the spirit `of the invention and scope `of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A simulated limb comprising a hollow upper limb member, a downwardly facing socket on the lower end of said upper limb member and opening into the interior thereof, a lower limb member, a hollow bulb lon the upper end of said lower limb member and rotatably re.-r ceived in said socket to permit relative swinging movement of said upper and lower limb members between aligned and angular positions, said bulb being provided with an opening communicating with the interior of said upper limb member, a bracket mounted in said upper limb member and extending Vspacedly thro-ugh said opening into said bulb, an operating member journaled in said bracket and lixed in said bulb for rotation with the latter Iabout the axis of said relative swinging movement, and spring means connected `between said bracket and Ioperating member for resiliently urging said upper and lower limb portions toward said `aligned and angular positions, said spring means comprising a helical coilV spring having lateral extensions on its opposite ends pivctally connected, respectively, to said bracket and operating member, said pivotal end extension connections being arranged with respect to said bracket and operating member to define a dead center position of said relative swinging movement intermediate said aligned 'and angular positions, said spring serving to urge continued relative swinging movement away from said dead center position toward one of said aligned and angular positions upon movement of said operating member out of said dead center position.

2. A simulated limb comprising lan upper limb member having its lower end open, a hollow lower limb member having its upper end 4open and rotatably received within the lower end of said upper limb member, a bracket xedly mounted in said upper limb member and extending into said lower limb member through the upper end thereof, an operating member iixedly positioned within -said lower limb member and journaled in said bracket for rotation about a transverse axis, said upper and lower limb member thus being pivotally connected together for relative swinging movement, .and spring means connected to said operating member and bracket for resiliently urging said lower limb member toward its adjacent extreme position of relative swinging movement said spring means comprising a helical coil spring having lateral extensions lon its opposite ends pivotally connected, respectively, to said bracket and operating member, said end extension connections lbeing arranged with respect to said bracket and operating member to exert a maximum spring force upon said operating member in radial `alignment with Vsaid transverse axis at an intermediate position of said relative swinging movement, whereby said spring serves to urge continued relative swinging movement away lfrom said intermediate position `upon movement of said operating member out of said intermediate position.

3. An articulating device for a simulated, jointed limb, said device comprising a bracket lhaving one end bifurcated to form spaced legs and having its other end adapted to be xed in one segment of a limb, said legs being adapted to extend into an adjacent segment of ia limb, a shaft extending between said bracket legs, an operating member disposed between said bracket legs and rotatable on said shaft, said operating memberbeing adapted vfor fixed connection to said adjacent limb seg ment for pivotally connecting said limb segments to gether, and spring means connected between one of said legs and said operating member for urging the latter in opposite directions away from `an intermediate position of its rotative movement, said limb segments thus being urged toward their extreme positions of relative movement, said spring means comprising a helical coil spring having lateral extensions on its opposite ends pivotally connected, respectively, to said operating member and one of said legs, said end extension connections being arranged with respect to said operating member and said one leg to exert a maximum spring force upon said operating member in radial alignment with the axis of said shaft at an intermediate position of rotation said operating member, said spring -serving to urge continued rotation of said operating member away -from its intermediate position upon movement of said operating member out of said intermediate position.

4. A simulated limb comprising a hollow first limb member having :an outer end formed with a socket and opening into the interior thereof, a second limb member having 4a hollow bulbous end rotatably socketed in said socket to permit relative swinging movement of said limb members about an axis transverse thereof between substantially aligned and angular positions, said bulbous end having a terminal opening communicating with the interior of the rst limb member, a bracket xedly mounted in the first limb member and extending into and through the opening in the bulbous end, a plate xed within the bulbous end, means pivotally attaching said plate to said bracket for rotatably connecting said limb members together for relative swinging movement and for preventing relative axial movement `of the limb members, a helical coil spring i'ixed within the bulbous end and having opposing ends provided with lateral extensions, said bracket and said plate having apertures receiving said extensions which are arranged with respect to said bracket and the plate to deiine a dead center posi tion of said relative swinging movement intermediate said aligned and angular positions, said spring urging continued relative swinging movement away from said dead center position toward one of said aligned and angular positions, upon movement of said plate out of the dead center position.

5. A simulated limb as defined in claim 4 wherein .said bracket includes a channel shaped upper portion and a rearwardly curved yoke lower portion having spaced apart legs between which .said plate is disposed, said channel shaped upper portion comprising an apertured web and parallel sides, said upper limb member having trout and rear walls, bosses projecting laterally inwardly from the front wall and said rear wall having openings aligned with the bosses and rod elements tted through the openings and through the apertures in said web and socketed in said bosses to comprise said mounting means.

6. A simulated limb as claimed in claim 5, wherein said plate has an apertured end and said legs have apertures aligned with the aperture in said end and said pivot means includes a pin extending through said apertures transverse of the lower limb member and of a length substantially equal to the transverse width of said lower limb member and means locating the plate against movement axially of the pin.

7. A simulated limb as claimed in claim 6, wherein said plate has an opposing end formed with a slot and a lug on the lower limb member socketed in the Slot to tix the plate relative to the lower limb member.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 982,696 Schoenhut Jan. 17, 1911 FOREIGN PATENTS 649,723 Great Britain Jan. 31, 1951 

